LITTLE George Kendall-Smith is looking forward to his namesake’s national day.
The Paddock two-year-old proudly waved his England flag yesterday, in the run-up to St George’s Day.
His dad David said: “We bought the flag in town. He remembered that he had one last year and wanted another one this year.”
David and his wife Lynda, both 33, picked the name George for their first son – partly for patriotic reasons.
He said: “To a degree he’s named after the patron saint. We wanted a strong name with an English identity and it seemed like a good choice.”
The family will take a walk along Digley Reservoir today to celebrate St George’s Day. David said: “It’s a simple and pleasant way of displaying our pride in the country.”
He added: “Lynda is going to have another baby in two months but it’s going to be a boy so Georgina isn’t an option for the name!”
Kirklees Council is marking St George’s Day by flying the English flag from the town halls in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley and Cleckheaton.
The fountains in St George’s Square will be turned on for the first time since the winter to mark the day. And Huddersfield town crier Vic Watson will unveil his new outfit in the square at midday.
Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner will attend a St George’s Day celebration in Mirfield this evening.
And there will be a St George’s Day fancy dress event for children at Greenhead Park from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday. For more information call park warden Chris Smith on 07814 387 426.
Meanwhile, the University of Huddersfield’s Academy for the Study of Britishness has asked staff and students for suggestions for an alternative patron saint.
Popular choices included William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill and Stephen Fry.
Students and staff were also asked how the national day should be celebrated.
Dr Andy Mycock from the Academy for the Study of Britishness said: “Perhaps, unsurprisingly, given national stereotypes, the most popular way of marking the English national day was partying with much emphasis on lashings of English ale and traditional foods such as roast beef.
“People were also very keen on the idea of making St George’s Day a bank holiday – these two preferences are most likely connected!”
Dr Mycock added: “The view of Englishness that emerged from this survey was largely positive.
“Englishness is evocative of artistry, community and endeavour as well as a cheerful willingness to buck the system when required.
“And this survey shows there is a definite desire for more public events to be hosted to celebrate Englishness.”
For more information visit www2.hud.ac.uk/asb.
